Christy Clark sets Westside-Kelowna byelection for July 10

B.C. Premier Christy Clark has officially called a byelection for Westside-Kelowna, to be held on July 10.

Clark, whose B.C. Liberals won a surprise victory in last month’s provincial election, is trying to win a seat in the legislature. Clark lost her Vancouver-Point Grey seat to New Democrat David Eby by 1,063 votes.

The seat in what is considered a very safe Liberal riding became vacant when MLA Ben Stewart resigned on Tuesday, the same day he was sworn in.

Clark said she plans to do a lot of door knocking.

"In 28 days we will have election day, when people will be choosing their next MLA," she said. "And Ben Stewart is going to be my campaign chair and he will be beside me the whole time during the byelection. I think people who know he served them so well over the years will be pleased to know that."

Clark added she'll be a presence in the Okanagan community.

"I will be establishing a secondary residence there, but people know I haven't made my home there, all my life.  It is so important for me to hear people, understand what the issues are, so that I can take those concerns to Victoria."

Clark will be running against New Democrat Carole Gordon, an elementary school teacher who lost by 6,197 votes in the last election in May, and B.C. Conservative candidate realtor Sean Upshaw, who ran in Penticton in the last election and lost by 9,274 votes. The Green Party is not running a candidate.

The new Westside-Kelowna MLA could be sworn in around July 29.